Soccer-Alcantara hat-trick leads Spain to Euro Under-21 crown

JERUSALEM, June 18 (Reuters) - Captain Thiago Alcantara scored a first-half hat-trick to inspire Spain to a 4-2 win over Italy in the European Under-21 championship final on Tuesday.

The defending champions had little difficulty in breaking down Italy’s unusually hesitant defence as Barcelona’s Alcantara scored with an easy header in the sixth minute, a close-range drive in the 31st and a penalty in the 38th.

Italy briefly lived in hope when Genoa forward Ciro Immobile chipped calmly over Spain goalkeeper David De Gea in the ninth minute to equalise at 1-1. It was the first goal the Manchester United keeper had conceded in the tournament.

Spain’s Isco of Malaga added a fourth Spanish goal from another penalty in the 66th minute when he sent Italy goalkeeper Francesco Bardi the wrong way.

Striker Fabio Borini added a second Italian goal in the 80th minute with a powerful low strike from the edge of the area after a deft one-two with Lorenzo Insigne but it was too little, too late against the superior Spaniards. (Writing by Ori Lewis, editing by Ed Osmond)